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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Our meals are in need of an overhaul! We have not been eating very well here lately. We have been so busy so I've just been sloppy! It's got to stop! So, it's time for me to be more mindful about what I am putting on the table (and in my mouth)! I've been feeling really sluggish and I know it's partly because of poor food choices! Here is our healthy menu for the week:

I'm definitely upping our intake of veggies this week and planning on lots of salads for lunch! It is amazing how much diet effects us! I'm also going to be making some whole wheat quick breads... I just haven't decided what kind. I'm seriously thinking of a sugar detox... I'm just not brave enough to do it alone. Anyone want to join me?

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

We're taking a little break between school and the boys are suppose to be cleaning their rooms! I just wanted to take a second to share what has been on my heart the past few days. This past Sunday our pastor, who's been preaching through Ephesians, taught on being filled with the Holy Spirit. It was a fantastic sermon (I'll include the link below) and really hit home for me. For some time I've had the Holy Spirit on my heart and mind. I've done some studying on the fruits of the Spirit and just the Holy Spirit in general. I daily battle my flesh. There are sins that I fight so often I wonder if I will ever find victory over them this side of heaven. I know we will always fight sin as long as were in these fleshly bodies but I know we can have victory over sin as well! So what is the answer to this? The Holy Spirit. He is the One promised to us by Christ! He sanctifies the believer! My pastor pointed out three things that come from being Spirit filled:

1. We will have joy in our salvation.

Acts tells us, 'the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.' (13:52)

2. We can have victory over besetting sin.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

(Galatians 5:16-17)

3. We will have boldness in the proclamation of the gospel.

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)

I don't know about you but I want all three, all the time!! So, the question is, how can we be filled with the Spirit? Take a look at Luke 11:5-13,

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

I don't have time to go into all the ways these verses are twisted to make God seem like Santa Clause (that's an entirely different post)! But I do have time to tell you that the answer is to the question is to ASK! So simple, huh? This is a prayer that God will faithfully answer if we are as persistent as the man in the story who was asking his neighbor for food! Our sinful flesh quenches the Spirit in us, so this is something that we have to consistently seek God for. Child of God, plead with your Father to fill you and He will! This is when God will begin to work and do amazing things in His people for His glory!

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13

If you'd like to listen to the sermon (and I highly recommend it), click HERE.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Monday... WHAT? It's already Monday!? Last week was our fall break, so hubby took off! It was full of a lot of fun things... my sister came home, my hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary, we had lots of family dinners, Luke had his last 'official' soccer game, we visited the pumpkin patch, sis and I went to the Kari Jobe concert, we celebrated my 30th birthday and the Hub's grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! We were busy but it was great! Tomorrow the Hubs goes back to work and we start back school! It will be nice to get back into a routine though. Tonight I could really tell the kids were just worn out! And I am too!

So, what are we eating this week?

Bean and Cheese Quesadillas, Steamed Veggies

Chicken Pot Pie

Vegetable Soup and Corn Bread

Lasagna and Salad (dinner with family)

This week I'm only planning 4 meals because I think we may have something planned one night (kind of up in the air right now...). If not a good grilled cheese never hurt anyone! ;)

This weekend is Alabama's open week so we're having a big meal with some family and friends! I use this recipe for my lasagna. It's a little bit of work but it's really good stuff! Totally worth it for special occasions! I usually make this when I'm taking dinner to someone (add salad and bread) and it always get compliments! I love a good recipe!

I'm planning on doing some pumpkin bread this week too! Have a great week!

Monday... WHAT? It's already Monday!? Last week was our fall break, so hubby took off! It was full of a lot of fun things... my sister came home, my hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary, we had lots of family dinners, Luke had his last 'official' soccer game, we visited the pumpkin patch, sis and I went to the Kari Jobe concert, we celebrated my 30th birthday and the Hub's grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! We were busy but it was great! Tomorrow the Hubs goes back to work and we start back school! It will be nice to get back into a routine though. Tonight I could really tell the kids were just worn out! And I am too!

So, what are we eating this week?

Bean and Cheese Quesadillas, Steamed Veggies

Chicken Pot Pie

Vegetable Soup and Corn Bread

Lasagna and Salad (dinner with family)

This week I'm only planning 4 meals because I think we may have something planned one night (kind of up in the air right now...). If not a good grilled cheese never hurt anyone! ;)

This weekend is Alabama's open week so we're having a big meals with some family and friends! I use this recipe. It's a little bit of work but it's really good stuff! Totally worth it for special occasions! I usually make this when I'm taking dinner to someone (add salad and bread) and it always get compliments! I love a good recipe!

I'm planning on doing some pumpkin bread this week too! Have a great week!

Friday, October 14, 2011

(I didn't have time for any fancy photo because dinner was running late. Someone might have forgotten to turn the oven on. Food typically cooks better in an oven that has been turned on. Oh and something weird happened when I uploaded the pictures and this is underlined along with some other weird issues that obviously have to do with html. I don't know how to fix that kind of stuff!!)

This was a hit with the family! Well, minus Luke who doesn't like anything I cook unless it comes in the form of a baked good. I asked him several times what he didn't like about it and he couldn't give me an answer. I think he just chooses not to like it whether or not he likes it... does that make sense? I will definitely be making these again and again! I'm thinking about trying them as nuggets and I might could get Luke to eat them!

I used chicken tenderloins for this but you could also use chicken breast. Don't you love a good picture of raw chicken? Marinate chicken in dressing (have you tried making your own?) for at least 1/2 hour. I let mine go for about an hour.

Mix your breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. I like to use my pie plate for things like this. It makes it easy to dredge! For my breadcrumbs, I used 4 slices of whole wheat bread that I toasted for about 5 minutes in the oven, then put in my little chopper thingy... you know what that is right?

Lay all of your chicken into a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan. Try not to let them touch, though that's not easy as you can see in my picture! The little bit of space between them helps them to get crispy on the bottom! Oh and don't forget to soak your hands in clorox and then scour them under hot water since you were handling raw chicken... and then clorox every surface of your kitchen! Just kidding....

Sort of.

Pop them into the oven and cook for about 25 minutes. They come out nice and crispy! So easy!

Marinate chicken in ranch dressing for at least 1/2 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a 9 x 13 in baking dish. Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and seasonings together. Coat chicken in breadcrumb mixture, letting excess dressing drip off before dredging. Lay chicken down in a single layer, trying not to let the chicken touch. Bake at 400 for 25-35 minutes or until chicken is done (this will depend on whether or not you use tenders or breast).

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I have a love/hate relationship with facebook. I think I've mentioned this before. I could share a list of reasons why facebook gets on my nerves but today I'll share one reason why I love it. I got on fb earlier this morning and saw two people had posted this video. I'm a fan of John Piper and an even bigger fan of Matt Chandler, so I had to watch. And I just turned into a puddle of tears. A thankful, puddle of tears. It's so good to be reminded of His love, His grace, His goodness.. all of which is unmerited. So, believer, watch it and be encouraged.

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About Me

I'm a 31 year old, married, SAHM. I've been married to my sweet hubby since October 2004. I have two amazing little boys! My first son was born in June 2006 and that's when I quit work. My second was born August 2008 and has made us a happy family of four! We are expecting our third little bundle of boy in February 2013! I am a daughter of the Most High! Jesus Christ is my first love! With my whole heart I desire to honor and bring Him glory everyday! Here you'll find a mix of topics, from my walk with Christ, my journey as a homeschooling mom, and my love for cooking real food and feeding my family on a budget!